PRINCE Harry has blindsided senior members of the Royal Family by secretly writing a tell-all memoir.
Harry announced an unprecedented publishing deal for the memoir — timed for release in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
In language bound to cause panic in Buckingham Palace, Harry promised to examine the “highs and lows” of his extraordinary life as royal, which culminated in his bitter “Megxit” split from The Firm.
In a statement from his £11million mansion in Montecito, California, Harry, 36, said: “I’m writing this not as the prince I was born but as the man I have become.
“I’ve worn many hats over the years, both literally and figuratively, and my hope is that in telling my story – the highs and lows, the mistakes, the lessons learned – I can help show that no matter where we come from, we have more in common than we think.
“I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to share what I’ve learned over the course of my life so far and excited for people to read a first-hand account of my life that’s accurate and wholly truthful.”
A spokesman for Harry last night said he told his family including the Queen about the book only “very recently”.
But a source said: “Harry scrambled to contact his family only when he knew the story was coming out — just moments before it became public.”
Senior royals were blindsided by the news.
CHARLES ‘SURPRISED’
Harry delivered it on the first day in 15 months that Clarence House announced Charles and Camilla were on a public engagement.
The Celeb Report broke the news to Clarence House aides while Charles was at a reception in Lostwithiel, Cornwall, at 6.30pm.
It was clear aides had no idea the book was being written or even being announced. One said simply: “Oh gosh.”
Prince Charles was said to have been “surprised”.
Well-placed sources said Buckingham Palace officials had been unaware of the book.
It is not known if Harry — who met brother William at their mother Diana’s statue unveiling this month — previously told The Queen about it.
One said: “The Prince of Wales’s visit has been scheduled for 18 months. The Sussexes would have known that.
“It may not have been deliberate but it is another example of poor communication.
“Harry has been writing this memoir for a year but his family appear to have been kept in the dark.
“Harry’s decision to publish a book about the family is unprecedented.
“Clearly no fences were mended while he was visiting for the unveiling of Diana’s statue. If anything, relations between Harry and Charles appear to have got worse.”
A source said: “Harry scrambled to contact his family only when he knew the story was coming out- just moments before it became public.”
It is not known if he had warned the Queen before last night.
HONEST & INTIMATE
Harry signed with publisher Penguin Random House and will be donating any fee to charity after making tens of millions of dollars with Netflix and Spotify.
The publisher said it was an “honest” and “intimate” autobiography – sparking fears of more revelations after his Oprah interview with Meghan accused the Royal Family of racism.
Lsast night there were howls of derision from critics after biographer Omid Scobie tweeted that Prince Harry was “ready to tell his story”.
Piers Morgan, using crying laughing emojis, replied: “Ready to tell his story? Prince Privacy hasn’t stopped yapping, whining & trashing his family all bloody year.”
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward added: “I find it extraordinary that Harry feels the need to do this.”
Harry is said to be working with Pulitzer Prize-winner J R Moehringer, who has written memoirs for tennis legend Andre Agassi and Nike co-founder Phil Knight.
A first draft is nearly completed, with a likely publication at the end of 2022.
Penguin Random House said: “Prince Harry will share, for the very first time, the definitive account of the experiences, adventures, losses, and life lessons that have helped shape him.”
